Kids’ Work: Discovering Light

“I wish that every human life might be pure transparent freedom.” ~ Simone de Beauvoir

It’s summer time and light abounds. In the first spectacular weeks of the season I had the chance to see what kids could do with freedom, light, and color. At the Center for Maine Contemporary Art’s opening ArtLab, kids combined and connected as they saw fit. Working with bits and pieces of colored plastic, fishing wire, tongue depressors, and more, they experimented with objects and the way light and air made magic with them.

One of the great treats for all was the collaboration among parents, grandparents, and children. Exploring balance and beauty, everyone succeeded.

“In nature, light creates color. In the picture, color creates the light.” ~ Hans HoffmanIn June, teens from Watershed School’s joint program with Rockland, Maine’s Steel House, exhibited their remarkable semester’s work. It was clear to me that big kids, when given time and materials, find their way into the light. Working with patterns on surfaces, extraordinary things happened. ‘Tis the season to let go and let light and color move us. It’s our collective desire and something kids naturally do – to let summer take the lead. We need just believe in the spirit of freedom and take those few moments to discover.